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en-usCopyright 2015 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/22/pathfinder-details-corpse-looting-and-more/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/22/pathfinder-details-corpse-looting-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/22/pathfinder-details-corpse-looting-and-more/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsGoblinWorks CEO Ryan Dancey has published a new blog post touching on today's Pathfinder early enrollment release.

Version two of the fantasy sandbox adds player husks, which is another way of saying lootable corpses. "The extent of your losses will be related to how quickly you are able to return to the site of your husk and if you are able to recover the inventory that remains on the husk before others are able to take all of its contents or its timer expires," Dancey writes.

There's a bit more to the update, but you'll need to click through to the GoblinWorks website to read it!

Blog post
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corpse-lootfantasyfull-loot-pvpgankboxgankinggoblinworkslootingpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkThu, 22 Jan 2015 16:45:00 -0500319|21133636http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/13/pathfinder-online-outlines-its-update-and-test-patterns/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/13/pathfinder-online-outlines-its-update-and-test-patterns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2015/01/13/pathfinder-online-outlines-its-update-and-test-patterns/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
The early enrollment stage of Pathfinder Online has started, and that means it's time to start setting a regular update schedule. A new development blog establishes that the game is currently slated to put out a new major build every other week, with the acknowledgement that the first few weeks will be something less than reliable due to the growing pains of turning the servers on. Players can look forward to the War of Towers kicking off tomorrow, January 14th, at 1:00 p.m. EST.

A bunch of the game's moving pieces are being either reopened or renamed. The alpha accounts are being renamed platinum accounts, since the game is no longer in its alpha testing phase. The test server is coming back online as a way to double-check all of the new adjustments to the game before they go live. Worth noting is that account perks used on the test server will still count as consumed on the live server, meaning that an account entitlement you use on a test will be gone as surely if you used it in the core game. Check out the full update for more specifics and the mechanics of taking part in update testing.

Our game uses a unique real-time based XP system. Characters gain XP through the passage of time, not through being logged in. So the characters that are created in the first month will be the characters with the most XP for all time. A special perk will be in effect that backdates XP to the start of Early Enrollment for the first month so no matter when you purchase an account, if you create a character in Month 1, you'll have that maximum XP.

Usually games with offline experience systems also have either a hard cap or a diminishing returns mechanic to avoid the core "sandbox problem" -- that those who get to the sandbox first perpetually have the most power because they claim all the best toys (and so on). But as written, the Pathfinder Online system seems to exacerbate rather than fix that problem by promising "pioneers" more power in the form of permanently more experience.

Suspecting there was more to the plan, we asked Goblinworks' Ryan Scott Dancey to explain just how it plans to balance its concessions to early backers with its presumed desire to attract newbie players in the more distant future. He's done so, in detail, for us today.

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backerscrowdfundingearly-enrollmentexperiencefantasyfeaturedgoblinworksinterviewinterviewspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpryan-danceyryan-scott-danceysandboxsandparkWed, 07 Jan 2015 14:00:00 -0500319|21126139http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/31/pathfinder-online-opens-up-early-enrollment/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/31/pathfinder-online-opens-up-early-enrollment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/31/pathfinder-online-opens-up-early-enrollment/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
The hour has come at last! Yes, we said that yesterday, but this time we really mean it! Pathfinder Online has entered early enrollment as of today, allowing backers to jump in and play the game in its early state. There are even some new screenshots (exclusive to Massively!) to go along with this stage of the game's slow rollout; they're embedded in the gallery below.

A new blog entry has also been posted, stating the game's design philosophy once again and explaining how the earliest stage of deployment will work out. If you really want to get in but aren't already a backer from the game's second Kickstarter, access will set you back $100 with three months of included game time.

Hard is Fun!
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alphaalphasbetabetascrowdfundingearly-enrollmentfantasygalleriesgallerygoblinworkslaunchlaunchesnewsnews-itemspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkscreenshotscreenshotsWed, 31 Dec 2014 17:00:00 -0500319|21123093http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/30/early-enrollment-comes-to-pathfinder-online-tomorrow/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/30/early-enrollment-comes-to-pathfinder-online-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/30/early-enrollment-comes-to-pathfinder-online-tomorrow/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
The hour has come at last! Almost. The hour of Pathfinder Online's early enrollment approaches swiftly with a scheduled start time of 1:00 p.m. EST on December 31st, assuming some horrible bug doesn't crop up between now and then. More posts will appear on the official site to detail how, exactly, one takes part in Early Enrollment if eligible; there will also be detailed information on how the game world moves and behaves so that no one is caught off-guard.

The last day of the alpha servers won't be quiet either; testers will be given access to developer powers, allowing them to make whatever ludicrously overpowered superheroes they want for fun. This starts today at 1:00 p.m. EST and runs until the servers go down for the last time before early enrollment. So have some fun today, and get ready to start in on the real thing tomorrow.

48 Hours and Counting!
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alphaalpha-testingalphasbetabeta-launchesbeta-testingbetasearly-enrollmentfantasygoblinworkslaunchlaunchesnewsnews-itemspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkTue, 30 Dec 2014 13:00:00 -0500319|21122651http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/26/pathfinder-online-ends-its-stress-test-and-preps-for-early-enrol/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/26/pathfinder-online-ends-its-stress-test-and-preps-for-early-enrol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/26/pathfinder-online-ends-its-stress-test-and-preps-for-early-enrol/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
The bad news is that if you had hoped to do nothing but strain the Pathfinder Online servers over your holiday, you were denied that option. The good news is that the test ended because the servers passed the stress test with flying colors, and that means it's time for the development team to move on to the next phase of access. Yes, early enrollment is just around the corner.

Of course it hasn't kicked off just yet, as the developers behind the game are human beings who would like to actually spend some holiday time with their families. But it's coming soon. The change will mean that players who have alpha access via friends & family options or are normally slated to enter during open enrollment can no longer log in; so if you want to keep jumping into the game you may wish to upgrade your account. For those already happily waiting for early enrollment, nothing else remains to be done other than continuing to wait. Not much longer now.

Ending the Alpha Stress Test
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alphaalpha-stress-testalphasbetabetasearly-enrollmentfantasygoblinworksnewsnews-itemspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkstress-testtest-phasestestingFri, 26 Dec 2014 18:00:00 -0500319|21121401http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/20/pathfinder-online-continues-to-delay-early-enrollment/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/20/pathfinder-online-continues-to-delay-early-enrollment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/20/pathfinder-online-continues-to-delay-early-enrollment/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
While Pathfinder Online groupies may get a little excited at the imminent release of a new patch, Goblinworks put it out there that the long-delayed early enrollment start is still on hold.

However, the good news is that the game is getting better with the release of Alpha 12.1, which is now live. The patch contains balance fixes, better hairstyles, performance improvements, and the activation of the encumbrance system.

Release notes
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alphaalpha-12.1alpha-testdelayearly-enrollmentfantasygoblinworkspatchpatch-notespathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnprelease-notessandboxsandparkupdateThu, 20 Nov 2014 17:00:00 -0500319|20996867http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/pathfinder-online-early-enrollment-will-not-be-launching-today/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/pathfinder-online-early-enrollment-will-not-be-launching-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/pathfinder-online-early-enrollment-will-not-be-launching-today/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsPathfinder Online's early enrollment launch for paying backers has already been delayed multiple times since its original goal of September 15th, and last night we learned that release has been put off yet again. Goblinworks' Ryan Dancey explained that the ongoing stress tests convinced the team that the server infrastructure needs bulking-up; consequently, the October 30th date -- today -- has been set aside. Dancey wrote,

We have set an internal objective of being able to handle 2,000 simultaneous connections, and 100 characters active in a single Hex as our minimum threshold for server performance. This reflects our expected peak concurrent activity for the first 10,000 players in game - roughly what we anticipate during the first 90 days of Early Enrollment activity. Currently the server does not reliably meet that benchmark.

With your help, we generated tremendously useful data via the stress test process and our performance team is confident that they can identify areas of the server system that can be rapidly improved to hit that benchmark. They are building and testing the necessary software and are making steady progress.

We want the first players in Pathfinder Online to have a high-quality experience and we are committed to delivering the game in a condition that meets that objective. Rather than commence Early Enrollment on the 30th we are going to enter a temporary "hold" state while we continue to optimize the server. When the team is confident that our benchmark for performance has been met, we will then exit the "hold", notify the community and begin a 48 hour countdown to Early Enrollment.

Dancey told players that Pathfinder's alpha test will continue, allowing devs to "roll out these polished feature iterations and to test server capacity improvements," and he thanked backers for their assistance and feedback.

Pathfinder blog
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alphaalpha-testalpha-testingbetadev-blogdev-blogsdev-diariesdev-diarydev-postdev-postsdeveloper-blogdeveloper-blogsdeveloper-diariesdeveloper-diarydeveloper-postdeveloper-postsearly-enrollmentfantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkstress-testtestingThu, 30 Oct 2014 10:00:00 -0400319|20986205http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/06/pathfinder-onlines-latest-alpha-patch-is-live/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/06/pathfinder-onlines-latest-alpha-patch-is-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/06/pathfinder-onlines-latest-alpha-patch-is-live/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
After no small amount of hand-wringing, the latest alpha patch is live for Pathfinder Online, with the intent of eventually cracking open the servers for stress testing. It's a pretty important patch even without the aim of a stress test, though, as it expands the map size to its full early access scope and fixes a variety of issues with advancement and the game's overall systems. Even if you didn't get to play recently, the development is humming along.

Obviously those who didn't get to play also didn't get to experiment with the game's recent auction house functionality, which is explained in depth on the official site. Setting up an auction requires a starting price and a minimum price. Over the auction's duration, the price slowly decreases from the starting price down to the minimum; if no buyers are found at that discount rate, the auction ends unsuccessfully. Check out the full development blog for more details.

Alpha 9 Has Arrived, How the Auction House works
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alphaalpha-testingalphasauctionauction-houseauctionsbetabeta-testingbetasfantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkstress-testMon, 06 Oct 2014 11:00:00 -0400319|20973073http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/24/pathfinder-onlines-early-enrollment-is-delayed-yet-again/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/24/pathfinder-onlines-early-enrollment-is-delayed-yet-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/24/pathfinder-onlines-early-enrollment-is-delayed-yet-again/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsPathfinder Online has further delayed the start of its next testing phase, Goblinworks wrote on its blog yesterday in a post titled Early Enrollment Will Not Start This Week:

There are a lot of final pieces coming into place to turn Pathfinder Online into a Minimum Viable Product so all of our early adopters can play and have a great time. The Auction House didn't make it in for a build last week and that is a critical feature of our MVP. As always, Goblinworks is dedicated to making sure the players have a solid and fun game experience. As a result we are going to reschedule the start of Early Enrollment. The team is developing their roadmap and when we have a revised start date we will provide an updated blog to present that plan. We appreciate your continued patience.

Those of you playing along at home will recall that this is the third such delay. On September 3rd, early enrollment was shifted to September 22nd for bug fixing; a week later, it was set for September 25th to accommodate, Goblinworks said, its players' vocal "desire to have the whole early enrollment map ready for play on the first day of early enrollment." Early enrollment is the equivalent of paid early access for backers and incurs a subscription fee.

Blog post
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alphadelayearly-enrollmentfantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkWed, 24 Sep 2014 14:00:00 -0400319|20966933http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/19/pathfinder-online-gears-up-for-a-stress-test/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/19/pathfinder-online-gears-up-for-a-stress-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/19/pathfinder-online-gears-up-for-a-stress-test/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
The early access period of Pathfinder Online has been delayed a little bit, but the game is still moving forward, and that means opening up for stress testing. On September 20th the game's current alpha client will be receiving an update for a variety of game mechanics; following that, the servers will open their doors on September 22nd for all players who have Open, Early, Explorer, or Alpha access. This means that more people than ever will be allowed to fire up the game and start playing.

Access will be provided on a rolling basis, chiefly to prevent a huge rush of people from all attempting to log into the game at the exact same moment. The goal, as with any stress test, is to ensure that the system can handle itself under severe loads. The official update offers more details on what's coming for the 22nd as well as mechanical changes players can look forward to when the test version goes live.

Alpha Stress Test
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accessalphabetabetasfantasygoblinworksnewsnews-itemspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkserver-accessserver-stressstress-testFri, 19 Sep 2014 11:00:00 -0400319|20964869http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/11/pathfinder-online-further-delays-early-enrollment-to-include-mor/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/11/pathfinder-online-further-delays-early-enrollment-to-include-mor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/11/pathfinder-online-further-delays-early-enrollment-to-include-mor/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
When will Pathfinder Online's early enrollment period begin? The answer to that question continues to change as its studio makes last-minute adjustments. Originally it was supposed to be September 15th, which then was pushed to September 22nd for more work on alpha features, and it's now delayed until September 25th in order to give players a larger initial game world. Players who have early enrollment access will be able to access the wipeable alpha (if they don't have it already) starting on the 18th.

"Our community has been very vocal about their desire to have the whole early enrollment map ready for play on the first day of early enrollment, and we're making changes to our deployment plans to accommodate that desire," Goblinworks posted. The studio also said that it will be delaying the start of the War of Towers until October 16th and that the Mac client should be ready to go by the start of early enrollment.

In the meantime, the team is consolidating its alpha patches into a single large patch for tomorrow and then will be doing updates on Thursdays going forward.

Early enrollment and alpha updates
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alphaalpha-testbetabeta-testdelayearly-enrollmentfantasygoblinworkslaunchlaunch-delaypatchpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkThu, 11 Sep 2014 14:00:00 -0400319|20960991http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/04/pathfinder-online-delays-early-enrollment-to-september-22nd/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/04/pathfinder-online-delays-early-enrollment-to-september-22nd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/09/04/pathfinder-online-delays-early-enrollment-to-september-22nd/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
If you're looking forward to early enrollment in Pathfinder Online, you're going to have to wait a week longer; the early enrollment period is being nudged back a week to a September 22nd start date. Why the delay? In short, the last alpha test wound up missing some important features and made it very clear that the features that were implemented still needed some work. Fixes are being worked on, and a few quick solutions are suggested for players participating in the alpha process.

Some features are also having their release dates altered; companies, for example, are now due for implementation after early enrollment begins. Terrain features are also going to have a staggered rollout, with a third ready at the start of early enrollment and the remainder coming later. Take a look at the full update for more detailed explanation of what's coming and when for both testers and fans.

One Does Not Simply WALK Into Early Enrollment
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accessalphaalpha-testingalphasbetabetasearly-accessearly-enrollmentfantasygoblinworksnewsnews-itemspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkThu, 04 Sep 2014 11:00:00 -0400319|20957106http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/30/pax-prime-2014-paying-a-premium-for-pathfinder-online/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/30/pax-prime-2014-paying-a-premium-for-pathfinder-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/30/pax-prime-2014-paying-a-premium-for-pathfinder-online/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Would you pay to get into an alpha test? Well, would you continue to pay a monthly subscription to keep on playing a title that's not yet launched? If you've answered "yes" to these questions plus the special one that I ask at the end of this article, then you're one of the folks that Pathfinder Onlinehopes to recruit for early enrollment come September 15th.

I sat down with Goblinworks CEO Ryan Dancey and Game Designer Stephen Chaney at PAX Prime yesterday to talk about this next big step for the game. Pathfinder Online is still far from feature complete, but the team considers it done enough that it can monetize the game in the form of a monthly sub. The 20,000 or so folks who will be admitted into early enrollment play (a number that includes the 7,000 Kickstarter backers) are expected to pay $15 a month as the team continues to develop the title. In exchange, characters and progress will not be wiped, and players will get to see the game take shape around them.

Goblinworks' philosophy is to have a robust game design first and then wrap the rest of the game around it afterward. Dancy said that the monetization is necessary to keep the lights on and the development rolling. The budget for a finished Pathfinder Online is $5 million (89% of which is salaries), but only $1.4 million has been raised so far.

Being only passingly familiar with Pathfinder Online, I asked why the MMO with its territory control seems so different from the small party, adventure-oriented tabletop game. The reason for this is that the pen-and-paper game doesn't completely translate to software boundaries, plus it draws from an adventure pack that Paizo tested a while back that went on to become one of its best-selling products. In both versions of Pathfinder, the long game is to rule the land and establish a legacy, not merely fill up a bag with XP and loot.

So is it worth it to you to pay a full subscription price for a half-finished game? That's up to you.

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conconventioneventevent-coverageeventsexpofantasygoblinworksmassively-event-coveragepaizopathfinderpathfinder-onlinepaxpax-2014pax-primepax-prime-2014penny-arcade-expopnpryan-danceyryan-dancysandboxsandparkstephen-chaneySat, 30 Aug 2014 09:00:00 -0400319|20954807http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/28/latest-pathfinder-online-devblog-emphasizes-player-driven-econom/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/28/latest-pathfinder-online-devblog-emphasizes-player-driven-econom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/28/latest-pathfinder-online-devblog-emphasizes-player-driven-econom/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Although players in Pathfinder Online's Alpha 7 run will earn 5,000 XP per hour (in order to help them test more things), the latest devblog warns that things will get decidedly harder once gameplay starts after Early Enrollment. At that point players will face a "cold start," beginning the game with only simple peasant clothes, a club, and 1,000 XP to spend on initial feats. Everything else, from feats to gear to cash, will grow from that.

The devblog also details the player-driven economy; by design, nearly everything characters use will be player-crafted. Mobs will drop only starter equipment, coin, salvage, or -- the rarest and most valuable -- recipes. Players can only upgrade gear past the starter level through crafting, and gear can be crafted with certain key words that add bonuses when combined with specific slotted feats. For full details, and a look at what Pathfinder devs are doing at PAX Prime, check out the official site.

The Big Chill economy devblog
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crafted-gearcraftingdev-diarydevblogfantasygeargoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepax-prime-2014player-driven-economyplayer-economypnpsandboxsandparkThu, 28 Aug 2014 22:00:00 -0400319|20954128http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/24/quests-elves-and-dwarves-coming-soon-to-pathfinder-online/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/24/quests-elves-and-dwarves-coming-soon-to-pathfinder-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/24/quests-elves-and-dwarves-coming-soon-to-pathfinder-online/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsPathfinder Online's alpha is growing by leaps and bounds as evidenced by two upcoming builds that will take shape over the next few weeks. In them, the devs are adding in essential systems like questing along with new races.

With next week's alpha 7 build, questing and companies will be introduced into the game as will possible new terrain types. Then when alpha 8 comes along, the sandbox MMO will make the jump to its early enrollment servers. This update will also include Elves, Dwarves, a graphical upgrade, expendables, storage, auction houses, banks, and more terrain options.

Part of the purpose of these new builds is to conduct what the devs are calling a "cold start" to see how players advance when they begin with nothing but a club and the clothes on their back. "Everything your character possesses and every ability your character learns after that point will be totally dependent on how you choose to play the game," the devs posted.

Countdown to early enrollment
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alphaalpha-7alpha-8betacold-startdev-diarydwarfdwarvesearly-enrollmentelfelvesfantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkSun, 24 Aug 2014 19:00:00 -0400319|20951502http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/07/pathfinder-early-enrollment-starts-september-15-cash-shop-struc/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/07/pathfinder-early-enrollment-starts-september-15-cash-shop-struc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/08/07/pathfinder-early-enrollment-starts-september-15-cash-shop-struc/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsGoblinWorks has posted some "major announcements" on its Pathfinder Online website. They include the start date for early enrollment (September 15th) as well as tweaks to early enrollment packages and a new Explorer Access package.

Gameplay-wise, the firm has unveiled premium cash shop items, which it says "are not going to be mechanically superior to player-character crafted items." Two of the items will regenerate power, though, so it's worth reading the full explanation if you're concerned about potential monetization intrusions in your fantasy sandbox.

Finally, GoblinWorks talks up Pathfinder's individual player structures, which are also available via the cash shop. Base camps serve as adventure-sustaining settlements when you're far from home, and they remain active for five days once deployed. Once they despawn, they're on a 15-day cooldown. They're priced at $50. Smallholdings are also available and feature "a substantial amount of local storage" for $200.

Announcement
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early-accessearly-enrollmentfantasygoblinworksmonetizationp2wpathfinderpathfinder-cash-shoppathfinder-early-accesspathfinder-early-enrollmentpathfinder-onlinepathfinder-structurespay-to-winpnpsandboxsandbox-monetizationsandparkThu, 07 Aug 2014 10:00:00 -0400319|20943325http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/07/26/the-stream-team-poking-in-the-pathfinder-online-alpha/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/07/26/the-stream-team-poking-in-the-pathfinder-online-alpha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/07/26/the-stream-team-poking-in-the-pathfinder-online-alpha/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Have you been eager to see what is happening behind the Pathfinder Online developmental curtain? Massively's MJ has sneaked in and will be poking around the alpha to see how things are coming along. Starting with character creation, she'll peek into as many corners as possible to show off this upcoming crowdfunded sandbox. Can she get to housing, crafting, adventuring, and exploring? Obviously because it is alpha, things won't be finished, but chances of experiencing everything in a short time is still pretty low! Join us live at 1:00 p.m. to let MJ know what aspects you want to see the most while she has the chance to show you.

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alphafantasyfirst-lookfirst-peekgoblinworkslivestreamlivestreaminglivestreamsmassively-metamassively-tvMJ-Guthrie-livestreammv-tvmvtvpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkstreamstream-teamstreamingstreamteamthe-stream-teamtwitchtwitch-tvSat, 26 Jul 2014 13:00:00 -0400319|20935877http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/07/06/pathfinder-online-releases-new-alpha-client/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/07/06/pathfinder-online-releases-new-alpha-client/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/07/06/pathfinder-online-releases-new-alpha-client/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsPathfinder Online alpha testers have a shiny new client to test out, an upgrade that hopefully will distract them from the requisite XP and inventory wipe.

The new client includes better lighting, animation fixes, coin drops from mobs, additional utility feats, and a better distribution of resource nodes. NPCs have also been given a speed boost to cut down on the ease of kiting by players.

Alpha patch notes
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alphabetafantasygoblinworkspatch-notespathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkSun, 06 Jul 2014 12:00:00 -0400319|20925500http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/28/make-my-mmo-june-22-june-28-2014/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/28/make-my-mmo-june-22-june-28-2014/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/28/make-my-mmo-june-22-june-28-2014/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
This week in MMO crowdfunding news, Star Citizen made more money. At this point I should probably go ahead and add that as a permanent part of Make My MMO's opening paragraph. Elsewhere, Pathfinder Online formally flung open its doors and invited backers into its alpha. If you supported the fantasy sandbox on Kickstarter or purchased access through the GoblinWorks store, you should be getting an email invite.

Finally, indie outfit Nesoi Tech revealed Bone Gulch, which is some sort of online multiplayer Old West thing built with the Unity engine. Though its Kickstarter page labels it an MMO, I'm not sure how MMO it really is, but I'm desperate enough for a Red Dead Redemption-style persistent world to be cautiously optimistic.

As always, the rest of our crowdfunded MMO roundup is just past the break.

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bone-gulchbusiness-modelscrowdfundingfantasygoblinworkskickstarterkickstartersmake-my-mmommo-industrypathfinderpathfinder-onlinepledgepnpsandboxsandparktake-my-moneySat, 28 Jun 2014 16:00:00 -0400319|20921059http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/26/pathfinder-online-formally-opens-alpha-to-backers/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/26/pathfinder-online-formally-opens-alpha-to-backers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/26/pathfinder-online-formally-opens-alpha-to-backers/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
"Ladies and Gentlemen and Miscellaneous Humanoids of all Types," wrote Ryan Dancey on the Goblinworks website today, "It is my great pleasure to announce that we are beginning the formal Alpha Test of Pathfinder Online."

According to Dancey, invitations are now en route to Kickstarter backers and everyone who purchased alpha access through the official game store, so check your email if you ponied up. You can also check out the release notes to clue you in on what's in the alpha and what isn't quite.

For those not participating in the test, the studio plans to livestream the current build tomorrow -- that is, Friday, June 27th, at 6 p.m. EDT -- on its Twitch channel.

Pathfinder blog
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alphaalpha-testalpha-testingbetabeta-testbeta-testingcrowdfundingfantasygoblinworkskickstarterlivestreampathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparktestingtwitchThu, 26 Jun 2014 19:00:00 -0400319|20920782http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/23/pathfinder-online-takes-crowdforging-seriously/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/23/pathfinder-online-takes-crowdforging-seriously/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/23/pathfinder-online-takes-crowdforging-seriously/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsGoblinworks, whose sandbox MMO Pathfinder Online entered alpha earlier this month, is turning to hopeful players for crowdforging purposes by way of the IdeaScale platform. You've probably seen the concept used for software and mobile development already: Players post mechanics and gameplay suggestions and ideas, and other contributors vote them up to show the developers where to focus time and effort.

Twitter
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crowdforcingcrowdforgefantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkMon, 23 Jun 2014 17:00:00 -0400319|20918355http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/19/pathfinder-online-details-the-war-of-towers/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/19/pathfinder-online-details-the-war-of-towers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/19/pathfinder-online-details-the-war-of-towers/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
If you're gearing up for Early Enrollment in Pathfinder Online, you'll be pleased to know that your experience will be a bit more robust than planned. When the development team looked at the minimum viable early access product, it didn't appear indicative of what the game was supposed to be in the long run, but there was no way to get the full territory control system in without a lot of further work. So what could be done? Why, a stripped-down version.

Dubbed the War of Towers, the system will reward players for capturing and controlling towers near one of the existing Settlements, allowing those Settlements to advance and improve in new directions. There's a video available just past the break that explains the details of how this tower capturing works, but the short version is that it should at least fill a gap until the full territory control system can be rolled out later.

War of Towers
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fantasygame-mechanicsgoblinworksnewsnews-itemspathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnppvppvp-mechanicssandboxsandparkterritoryterritory-controlvideovideoswar-of-towersThu, 19 Jun 2014 17:30:00 -0400319|20916143http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/06/pathfinder-set-to-begin-nda-free-alpha/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/06/pathfinder-set-to-begin-nda-free-alpha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/06/pathfinder-set-to-begin-nda-free-alpha/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsGoblinWorks released a new Pathfinder dev blog this week. In a nutshell, the team is kicking off the fantasy sandbox's alpha test in very short order. The first week or two "will be an internal test" comprised of employees and family members, writes CEO Ryan Dancey.

Dancey also points out that alpha really does mean alpha, but even so, GoblinWorks will not restrict testers with any sort of NDA. Click through the links below for more info!

Dev blog
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alphafantasygoblinworkspathfinderpathfinder-alphapathfinder-onlinepnpryan-danceysandboxsandparkFri, 06 Jun 2014 11:00:00 -0400319|20908006http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/05/30/pathfinder-focuses-on-crafting-in-latest-dev-video/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/05/30/pathfinder-focuses-on-crafting-in-latest-dev-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/05/30/pathfinder-focuses-on-crafting-in-latest-dev-video/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsPathfinder Online's crafting system is the focus of this week's dev blog by Goblinworks CEO Ryan Dancey. Through crowdforging, the company hopes to develop improvements and features with the help of the community. In the included video diary, designer Stephen Cheney talks more about how resources and materials are gathered for crafting, the importance of tiers, refined items, and how important crafting will be in the game.

The dev blog also discusses the Kickstarter rewards, the status of the guild land rush, and more. Check out the complete dev video embedded after the cut.